Waking up with the flowers

Folks often ask where I get ideas for this blog. The answer is: anywhere . . . everywhere . . .

For example, I try to ride my exercycle every morning. (Okay, that’s the goal, anyway.)

Now that we’re in our wonderful, albeit-much-too-short OPEN THE WINDOWS! period, I drag the cycle over to where I can see as many flowers as possible.

Every morning I say hi to the oxalis which is usually still asleep . . . just as I am.

(Started to title this ‘Waking up with the Oxalis” but I knew that would send too many readers into paraxyms of horror. I love oxalis, and have numerous, non-invasive ornamental varieties. But I understand why some folks go berserk over the common pink variety that spreads so easily here.)

By the time I’m finished, the oxalis have started yawning and stretching and opening their delightful little flowers.

I started this collection back when we had tons of shade. Also known as wood sorrel, oxalis loves shady spots. What’s more, it’s a winter bloomer that disappears completely when the days (and soil) warm up. It’ll return next winter, bloom in spring and then disappear again.

Sometimes the purple variety will stick around all summer. Sometimes not. I find the ornamental pinks and whites do tend to go dormant in warm weather.

Fortunately — now that the plant gods have chosen to remove many of our trees — they also seem to thrive in sun.

Common pink oxalis spreads all over. Ornamental oxalis varieties tend to make larger and larger clumps. They are easy to divide. Just dig up the little tubers and replant wherever.

If you really hate the common variety, digging up the tubers is the only solution. Sorry, know you don’t want to hear that. If anyone has another solution, please share in the comments below.

If you hate it, that’s not much comfort, I know. Nor will it probably help to tell you that oxalis is edible (research this before trying them, although we used to eat the stalks as children). It’s said Indians chewed oxalis to cure mouth sores, sore throats, cramps, fever, nausea and to stave off thirst on long trips. They also used it in teas and desserts.

Ancient Chinese supposedly used oxalis to help them find copper deposits. Some modern scientists think oxalis has some potential for treating contaminated soils.

Oxalis is included in the design for “A Garden in Filtered, Partial or Dappled Sun All Day” in my Lazy Gardener’s Guide on CD (See right hand column of this blog page). The CD will also be also available at my booth at the Cy-Fair Home & Garden Show today-Sunday, March 26-27.

I’ll be giving a program on “Salvaging Your Winter-Damaged Garden” Sunday at 11:30 and answering question 11-4 Saturday and 12:30-4 on Sunday.